Office of the Historian

740.5/2–2252: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Department of State 1
secret
Lisbon, February 22, 1952—8 p.m.

Secto 45. Secy discussed Aust treaty with Eden this morning.2 Understanding reached to be checked with Fr as soon as possible. Brit agreed that announcement by three western powers shld be made soon after Lisbon mtg, this to be made by govts in three capitals on the same day and hour.

Fol is agreed text.

[Here follows the agreed draft text of the statement on the Austrian Treaty. Differences between this draft text and the final agreed text approved by the American, British, and French Foreign Ministers on February 26 are indicated in the final text transmitted in telegram 2153, February 27, to Vienna, infra.]

Papers in connection with short treaty to be prepared and, if possible to be delivered approx three weeks after release of communiqué.

On prob of whether short treaty constitutes alternative draft, Brit reaffirmed understanding reached in Wash that matter shld be left blurred.

Will communicate as soon as talks with Fr completed.

Acheson
  1. This telegram was repeated for information to London, Paris, and Vienna.↩
  2. For the record of the Acheson–Eden meeting under reference, see Battle’s memorandum of conversation, Feb. 22, p. 131.↩